Dear Friends & Family,

It is good to be back in action here in Mexico especially after feeling like I was "put on the shelf" for the two months I was in Chicago for medical & dental consultations. I got back to Cuernavaca on February 3rd and found my church here gearing up for the Festival de la Alegria (Happiness) to be held on February 10. Festival de la Alegria is a day-long event of evangelism held in our community providing fun & games for the children in the neighborhood and then inviting them to come listen to the gospel presentation. In the evening we had two mini-concerts from two popular artists here, and then preaching of the gospel. The days before the event we distributed flyers around our neighborhood, shopped for food to give away to our guests and organized games that children enjoy.

We had a great turnout in our church. There were many children (about 300) who walked in for the first time through the doors of Semilla de Mostaza (Mustard Seed - Calvary Chapel Cuernavaca). Jim Foote our senior pastor gave the gospel presentation using Proverbs 3:5,6 challenging them to trust Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Many children repeated after him praying to invite Jesus into their hearts.

In the evening, after the mini-concerts and the gospel message, we also had a good response with many acknowledging Christ as their Savior by raising their hands and coming forward to receive Christ. The Lord opened my eyes to how ripe the harvest is here in Mexico and the window of opportunity we have here to "seize the moment". We do not know how long this openness to the gospel will last. I feel very privileged to be part of the harvest season here in Mexico.

I am back to leading two weekly ladies' Bible studies. Each time I challenge women to be in the word of God by reading, memorizing, listening, studying and meditating on the Bible. It is encouraging to see the little improvements each week like coming to the Bible studies on time, answering the Bible study questions and seeing them slowly have the discipline to have their daily devotions. I was moved last week when one gal (Betty) who is leaving us for a new job in Guadalajara thanked me and Lulu (my co-leader) for providing her a "home church" here in Cuernavaca. Betty came from a very strict, legalistic church where she could not wear make-up nor wear pants to church. She said through our Bible study group she felt accepted, welcomed and loved. She is sad she is leaving us because of a new job. I gave her the name and address of the Calvary Chapel in Guadalajara and the name, address and phone number of the pastor. Praise the Lord that through our small efforts we are impacting lives here in Cuernavaca!

As always, thank you for your love, prayers and support.